Chelsea want £5m from Atletico for Courtois to play against them... here's why the young keeper is rated among the world's best

Thibaut Courtois will take centre stage when Atletico Madrid and Chelsea duel it out for a place in the Champions League final later this month.

Strange that, with such a stunning array of talent on show, a goalkeeper should attract such a huge amount of attention - but that's the life of the player destined to replace Petr Cech as Chelsea's No 1.

A row ensued after it was revealed Atletico would have to pay £5million to the Blues as part of a clause in the Belgian stopper's contract.

Atletico's No 1: Courtois kept a clean sheet in the Champions League semi-final second leg with Barcelona

No way through: The threat of Messi was nullified during the Champions League semi-final

Party time! Courtois celebrates with his team-mates after their stunning win over Barcelona

UEFA stepped in to block this move, saying it contravened the governing bodies' rules. But the intrigue doesn't end there.

‘Tell
Mourinho where to go!’ shout the autograph hunters through Courtois’
car window at the gates of Atletico's Cerro del Espino training complex.

The
6ft 6in goalkeeper is one of the players most in demand by fans of the
Spanish league leaders. He is a major reason why they are top and the
fans are desperate to see him stay next season.

Main man: Cech is currently Chelsea's No 1 choice in goal... but he could be replaced by Courtois

Thriller: Chelsea overturned a 3-1 deficit to beat PSG to a place in the Champions League semi-final

‘He
has learned a lot with us. He needs to keep getting better but it is
obvious he is destined for big things,’ said Atletico Madrid coach Diego
Simeone after his goalkeeper had a brilliant game in the 1-1 draw at
Barcelona on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League
quarter-final tie.

‘He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world,’ insisted Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino after the 21-year-old had kept out Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Leo Messi.

In fact, Messi has failed to score against him in four games so far this season.

Courtois’ key strengths are the fact that, despite his huge frame, he is agile enough to get down quickly to low shots and he inspires confidence in his defence by commanding his area.

Key man: Atletico fans are desperate to keep hold of the Belgian goalkeeper

Not invincible: Barcelona forward Neymar wheels away after finally beating Courtois in the all-Spanish Champions League quarter-final at the Nou Camp earlier this week